Yakiniku Shodai - Reviews

My experience at this restaurant was absolutely incredible. The food was amazing, featuring an interesting tasting menu with wonderful explanations from the chef. I also enjoyed the great variety and quality of Sake, which was expertly guided for each course. The atmosphere was quiet and conducive to easy conversation, and the service was top-notch.

My experience at this restaurant was disappointing for the price point. We came for a birthday celebration but left underwhelmed. The chef actively brought down the mood; while he did talk to us, his conversations consisted of complaints and snarky remarks. The atmosphere was cold with no music and complete silence, making intimate conversation awkward. The food was just okay, nothing special at that cost. San Francisco has far better fine dining options at this price point. I would skip this for special occasions.

I visited this restaurant yesterday for my boyfriend and I’s anniversary, and the experience was amazing! We opted for the tasting menu, and every single plate served was delicious. The meat was grilled perfectly, and the accompanying side dishes were also lovely. Beyond the exceptional food, the chefs cultivated a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. They engaged with us as if we were friends, which significantly enhanced the entire dinner. I give it a 10/10 for everything. If you're considering this place for a special occasion, I highly recommend it; it's definitely worth it!

My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! Every single meat cut was cooked to perfection. The menu is also designed very balanced, with vegetables and steamed eggs between meat courses to balance out the flavors. Our server, Chris, helped us grill the meat and he’s such a delight to chat with!

My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The team is awesome and incredibly knowledgeable about their beef sourcing. Everything was cooked to perfection. You’re sure to be in for a treat every time you come here!

My experience at this restaurant was wonderful, featuring an excellent selection of meat and excellent service. The staff provided a great recommendation of sake to celebrate a birthday. It's an ideal place for date night or a one-on-one business meeting. However, it's not so good for family as I believe mainly adults would fully appreciate the dishes and services offered. While kids would likely enjoy the meat, I found it to be a bit too pricy for a family dinner. We opted for the smaller set menu, which was a perfect amount of food, and you can still order a la carte if needed. I highly recommend this place and will definitely repeat my visit. There's a comedy club next door, which would be great as a next activity after dinner.

It’s such a blessing to enjoy high-quality A5 Japanese Wagyu here in the Bay Area! The owner, Andy, has a strong background, having worked at the famous Michelin-starred “Da-Wan Yakiniku” in Taipei for four years. We were fortunate to be served by Chef Chris, who also has experience at Da-Wan. His precision and expertise in grilling were truly impressive, perfectly bringing out the flavors of these premium cuts. If you’re a meat lover, this is definitely a spot you need to try! Follow Instagram @itssuechen for more NorCal contents!

My experience at Yakiniku Shodai was truly speechless after an incredible meal. Every dish was cooked to absolute perfection, and the exceptional quality of their meat selection was evident. The attention to detail in their cooking process is remarkable. Chris, who expertly cooked for us, ensured every piece of meat was prepared flawlessly. My favorite was the oyster blade, which just melted in my mouth. Andy, the chef, also recommended some outstanding sake pairings that elevated the entire experience. We left already thinking about when we can come back for another meal. Highly recommend! Here are some photos from our unforgettable dining experience.

My experience at this restaurant was a bit mixed. We came here with a reservation on a weeknight and were immediately struck by the very strong meat grilling smell and the bright fluorescent lighting. While the smell is expected for this type of restaurant, it detracted from what we hoped would be an upscale ambiance. The meat itself was good, and our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. However, the bill came out to over $500 for two people, leaving us to wonder if we could have had a similar meal at a place like Gyu-Kaku for less than half the price.

We reserved a table last minute and unfortunately, we were not served by the restaurant owner. The chef's performance was not up to par, particularly with the thin cut steak, which was cooked for too long, resulting in most pieces being burnt and overcooked.